View source for East Croydon station

{{Short description|National rail station and Tramlink tram stop in London}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox London station
| name          = East Croydon
| symbol        = tram
| symbol2       = rail
| manager       = [[Southern (train operating company)|GTR Southern]]
| manager1      = [[Transport for London]] (tram platforms)
| manager2      =
| owner         = [[Network Rail]]
| owner1        = Transport for London 
| owner2        =
| locale        = [[Croydon]]
| borough       = [[London Borough of Croydon]]
| platforms     = 6 plus 3 [[Tramlink]] platforms
| fare_zone     = 5
| fare_zone_1   = 
| railcode      = ECR
| railcode2     =
| dft_category  = B
| image_name    = East Croydon station April 2016.jpg
| image_alt     =
| caption       = East Croydon station and Tramlink stop
| coordinates   = {{coord|51.3752|-0.0923|type:railwaystation_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| gridref       = TQ 3288 6574
| map_type      =
| years1        = 12 July 1841
| years2        = July 1846
| years3        = 1 May 1862
| years4        = 1898
| years5        = 1 June 1909
| years6        = July 1924
| years7        = 19 August 1992
| years8        = 14 May 2000
| years9        =
| events1       = Opened as "Croydon"
| events2       = Renamed "Croydon East"
| events3       = Renamed "East Croydon"
| events4       = Expanded to 6 platforms
| events5       = Renamed "East Croydon Main"
| events6       = Amalgamated with "East Croydon Local" to form "East Croydon"<ref>Butt, R.V.J. (1995): ''The Directory of Railway Stations'', Patrick Stephens Ltd, Sparkford, {{ISBN|1-85260-508-1}}, p. 87</ref>
| events7       = New station building opened
| events8       = Tramlink stop opened
| events9       =
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| ctbat0910     = 4.001
| ctbat1011     = 4.380
| access        = yes
| original      = [[London & Brighton Railway]]
| pregroup      = [[London, Brighton & South Coast Railway]]
| postgroup     = [[Southern Railway (UK)|Southern Railway]]
| access_note   =<ref>{{citation step free south east rail}}</ref><ref name="southern access">{{cite web | url=http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/network-map/?access=on | title=Network Map | publisher=[[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] | access-date=2 January 2010 | archive-date=20 February 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220141849/http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/network-map/?access=on | url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
'''East Croydon''' is a railway station, tram stop and associated bus station in [[Croydon]], [[Greater London]], England. It is located in London fare zone 5. At {{convert|10|mi|28|chlk|mi km|2}} from {{rws|London Bridge}},<ref>{{cite book |last=Yonge |first=John |editor-last=Jacobs |editor-first=Gerald |title=Railway Track Diagrams 5: Southern & TfL |edition=3rd |date=November 2008 |orig-year=1994 |publisher=Trackmaps |location=Bradford on Avon |isbn=978-0-9549866-4-3 |at=map 14C }}</ref> it is the 20th [[List of busiest railway stations in Great Britain|busiest station in Britain]], was the 10th busiest in 2020–21 (due to the COVID pandemic),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/popular-statistics/busiest-stations-in-britain/ |title=Busiest stations in Britain|date=25 November 2021 |work=Office of Road and Rail}}</ref>  is the busiest national rail station in London outside of fare zones 1 and 2 and is one of the busiest non-terminal stations in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates |website=Office of Rail Regulation |title=Estimates of station usage |access-date=25 August 2014 |date=22 April 2014 |archive-date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625013846/http://www.orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is one of three railway stations in the [[London Borough of Croydon]] with Croydon in their name, the others being [[West Croydon railway station|West Croydon]] and [[South Croydon railway station|South Croydon]]. A [[Tramlink]] tram stop is located immediately outside the main station entrance.

The present station building opened on 19 August 1992. It consists of a large steel and glass frame suspended from a lightweight steel structure that straddles the track and platforms to a much greater extent than was possible with its [[Victorian era|Victorian]] predecessor. Four steel [[Mast radiator|ladder mast]]s anchor the glass box and the whole gives the impression of a suspension bridge that stretches into the distance. External [[canopy (building)|canopies]] cover the entrances, a café's open-air seating area and the approaches to the tram stop. {{Convert|440|m2|abbr=on}} of glass were used in the roof and {{Convert|800|m2|abbr=on}} for the wall glazing.<ref name="verdict">{{cite web |title=East Croydon Station Redevelopment |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/east-croydon-station-redevelopment/ |website=Railway Technology |publisher=Verdict Media Limited |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>

It was announced in 2010 that [[Network Rail]] had proposed a £20m project to revamp the station with an additional entrance and a shortcut into the town centre. The new bridge was officially opened in December 2013. Disabled-accessible slopes to all platforms are provided and there is a footbridge connecting all platforms. There are refreshment stalls and vending machines in the seating areas on the platforms, and trolleys are available along with step-free access to buffets. There are electronic information displays showing departures to 80 stations.<ref name="verdict"/>

==History==
The population of Croydon increased 14-fold (from 16,700 to 233,000) between the opening of the station in 1841 and 1921. As a result, the station has been enlarged and rebuilt on several occasions.<ref name="verdict"/>

===Opening===
On 12 July 1841, the [[London & Brighton Railway]] (L&BR) began passenger services through Croydon station (now East Croydon) on the [[Brighton Main Line|Brighton Line]] from London Bridge to [[Haywards Heath railway station|Haywards Heath]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=White |first=H. P. |title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: Southern England V. 2 |series=Regional Railway History Series |year=1992 |publisher=David St John Thomas | location=Nairn, Scotland | isbn=0-946537-77-1 | pages=79}}</ref> The station was designed by the architect [[David Mocatta]], the second station in the town since the [[London and Croydon Railway]] (L&CR) had opened its Croydon station (now West Croydon) in June 1839.<ref name="verdict"/><ref name="denno">{{cite book |last1=d'Enno |first1=Douglas |title=Surrey Railway Stations Through Time |date=2017 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=9781445655697 }}</ref>

The station became jointly administered by the L&BR and the [[South Eastern Railway (UK)|South Eastern Railway]] (SER) in 1842, who shared the [[Brighton Main Line]] as far as [[Redhill railway station|Redhill]]. Fares from Croydon to London were common to two railways.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Central Croydon Branch|journal=Railway World|date=March 1974|first=Edward|last=Treby|volume=35|issue=407|pages=106 }}</ref> In 1846, the L&BR and the L&CR amalgamated to form the [[London, Brighton and South Coast Railway]] (LB&SCR), and the two stations were shortly renamed East Croydon and West Croydon to avoid confusion.<ref name="verdict"/>

===New Croydon===
With the completion of the line to [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] between 1860 and 1862, extra platforms were needed to provide a terminal for LB&SCR suburban services to and from the [[West End of London]] whilst London Bridge trains continued to use the existing lines. The new platforms adjoined East Croydon but were treated by the LB&SCR as a separate station named New Croydon, with its own ticket office, and which ran exclusively LBSCR services. This device enabled the railway to avoid breaking an agreement with the SER, whilst offering cheaper fares than the SER from the original station.<ref>{{Cite book| last= Turner | first= John Howard | year=1978 | title= The London Brighton and South Coast Railway 2 Establishment and Growth |publisher=[[Batsford]] |pages=240–41 |isbn=0-7134-1198-8}}</ref>

The terminal platforms at New Croydon proved difficult to operate, as there was limited space for locomotives to run around their trains. As a result, in 1863 the LB&SCR obtained Parliamentary authority to build a {{Convert|1|mi|adj=on|spell=in}} extension to a new terminus at [[South Croydon railway station|South Croydon]], which provided the additional operating room.<ref>Turner (1978) p. 242</ref>

===Central Croydon===
In 1864, the LB&SCR obtained authorisation to construct a {{convert|0.5|mi|km|1|adj=on}} long branch line into the town centre near Katharine Street, where [[Central Croydon railway station|Central Croydon station]] was built. The line opened in 1868 but enjoyed little success and closed in 1871, only to reopen in 1886 under pressure from the council before finally closing in 1890. It was demolished and replaced by the [[Croydon Clocktower|town hall]].<ref>Treby, E., op. cit. p. 106</ref>

===1894/95 rebuilding===
[[File:East Croydon (LBSCR) station (geograph 3403286).jpg|thumb|left|East Croydon station in 1967]]

By the late 1880s the station was again congested due to the growth of traffic on the main lines, the expansion of the suburban network in South London and the new line from Croydon to [[Oxted]]. As a result, the station was rebuilt and the tracks remodelled during 1894/5. At the same time the suburban lines were extended from South Croydon to [[Coulsdon North railway station|Coulsdon North]], where they joined the new [[Quarry line]].<ref>{{Cite book| last= Turner | first= John Howard | year=1979 | title= The London Brighton and South Coast Railway 3 Completion and Maturity| publisher=[[Batsford]] | isbn=0-7134-1389-1 |page=94 }}</ref> In 1897–98, East Croydon and New Croydon were merged into a single station with the three [[island platform]]s that remain. The two stations kept separate booking accounts until the formation of the Southern Railway.<ref>White, H.P., op. cit. p. 79</ref>

=== 1958 incident ===

On 4 July 1958, a passenger fell onto the running lines after attempting to leave his train on the wrong side. Station foreman Thomas Ashby saw that he was reaching for the live rail as he attempted to stand, and that an express train was approaching, and so jumped down onto the track and held the man down, safely, as the express passed. For his actions, Ashby was awarded the [[Order of Industrial Heroism]], which was presented to him in the S.R.A. Club Hall at the station, on 7 October the same year.<ref>{{cite book|first1=W. H. |last1=Fevyer |first2=J. W. |last2=Wilson |first3=J. E. |last3=Cribb |year=2000 |title=The Order of Industrial Heroism |publisher=The Orders & Medals Research Society |isbn=978-0-9539207-0-9 |page=38}}</ref><ref name="List">{{cite web |title=List of Persons Awarded the Order of Industrial Heroism |url=http://www.unionhistory.info/britainatwork/emuweb/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=282}}</ref>

===1992 rebuilding===
The present station building opened on 19 August 1992. It consists of a large steel and glass frame suspended from a lightweight steel structure that straddles the track and platforms to a much greater extent than was possible with its [[Victorian era|Victorian]] predecessor.

Four steel [[Mast radiator|ladder mast]]s anchor the glass box and the whole gives the impression of a suspension bridge that stretches into the distance.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}} External [[canopy (building)|canopies]] cover the entrances, a café's open-air seating area and the approaches to the tram stop. {{Convert|440|m2|abbr=on}} of glass were used in the roof and {{Convert|800|m2|abbr=on}} for the wall glazing. The architects were Alan Brookes Associates and the structural engineers YRM Anthony Hunt Associates.

===2010 revamp plans===
[[File:East Croydon station footbridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|East Croydon station footbridge, installed 2013]]
It was announced in 2010 that [[Network Rail]] had proposed a £20m project to revamp the station with an additional entrance and a shortcut into the town centre.<ref name="cg-15sep2010">{{cite news|url=https://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/archive/2010/09/16/News_Croydon+%28news%29/8391979.Council_pledges___6m_for_station_bridge/|title=£6m plan to refurbish station|newspaper=[[Croydon Guardian]]|publisher=[[Newsquest Media Group]]|date=15 September 2010|page=2|access-date=21 September 2010}}</ref> In September 2010, [[Croydon Council]] pledged £6m towards the revamp, ensuring that a bridge was included in the plans.<ref name="cg-15sep2010"/> The new bridge was officially opened in December 2013, providing pedestrian transfer between platforms as well as a new entrance at the northern end of the platforms and a more direct link to the town centre.<ref>{{cite web|last=Austen|first=Ian|title=PICTURES: Opening of new £20 million bridge at East Croydon station|url=http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/PICTURES-Opening-new-20-million-bridge-East/story-20271536-detail/story.html|website=croydonadvertiser.co.uk|date=6 December 2013|access-date=20 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923211831/http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/PICTURES-Opening-new-20-million-bridge-East/story-20271536-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The new walkway may be accessed from the town centre on the west via Lansdowne Walk, with access from Cherry Orchard Road on the east included in local development plans.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.londonreconnections.com/2015/a-study-in-sussex-part-8-if-you-bridge-it-they-will-come/ |title=A Study In Sussex Part 8: If You Bridge It They Will Come|date=27 April 2015 |work=London Connections }}</ref><ref name="Develop Croydon">{{cite web |url=https://developcroydon.com/morello-quarter-phase-ii-and-bridge-link-plans-are-submitted/ |title=Morello Quarter Phase II and bridge link plans are submitted|date=30 October 2022 |work=Develop Croydon }}</ref>

===Thameslink Programme===
{{Main|Thameslink Programme}}

The Thameslink Programme (formerly Thameslink 2000) was a £6 billion major project to expand the [[Thameslink]] network from 51 to 172 [[Train station|stations]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=2413&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=8 |title=Good news for South London as £3.5BN Thameslink project clears major hurdle |date=18 October 2006 |access-date=12 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928040121/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=2413&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=8 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref> spreading northwards to Bedford, [[Peterborough]], [[Cambridge]] and [[King's Lynn]]. The project included the lengthening of platforms, station remodelling, new railway infrastructure (e.g. viaducts and tunnels) and [[British Rail Class 700|new rolling stock]]. The project was completed in 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Programme Level Close Out Report |url=https://uhoun19qey9384ovv24t33c1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Thameslink-Close-Out-Report-1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722160640/https://uhoun19qey9384ovv24t33c1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Thameslink-Close-Out-Report-1.pdf |archive-date=2021-07-22 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=uhoun19qey9384ovv24t33c1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com}}</ref> and has enabled 8 Thameslink trains per hour in each direction to service East Croydon.

==Services==
{{East Croydon station}}

===Destinations===
The station has frequent services on the [[Brighton Main Line]] from [[London Victoria station|London]] to {{stnlnk|Gatwick Airport}} and {{stnlnk|Brighton}}, the [[Thameslink|Thameslink Route]] from Brighton to {{stnlnk|Bedford}} via {{stn|London Bridge}}, and the [[Oxted Line]] to {{stnlnk|East Grinstead}} and {{stnlnk|Uckfield}}.<ref>GB eNRT May 2016 Edition, Tables 52, 170, 173 & 182</ref> 
East Croydon serves destinations mainly in [[East Sussex]], West Sussex, [[Surrey]] and [[Brighton & Hove]], including Gatwick Airport, [[Horsham]], [[Caterham]], [[Tattenham Corner]], [[Brighton]], [[Reigate]], [[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]], [[Hastings]], [[Eastbourne]], [[Bognor Regis]], [[Portsmouth]], [[Tonbridge]] and many suburban stations in [[South London]].<ref>GB eNRT May 2016 Edition, Tables 176, 180, 181, 184, 188 & 189</ref>

Trains include [[Thameslink and Great Northern|Thameslink]] services to Brighton, [[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]], Bedford, [[Luton]] and [[London Luton Airport]], which means that the station has direct services to two airports. They also serve stations in or near the [[City of London]], including [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras International]], [[Farringdon station|Farringdon]], [[City Thameslink railway station|City Thameslink]] and [[Blackfriars station|London Blackfriars]].

[[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]] to [[Charing Cross railway station|London Charing Cross]] and {{stnlnk|Hastings}} occasionally call at the station during periods of engineering work.

===Platforms===
;National Rail platforms

There are six platforms in the National Rail station in form of three islands numbered from the west to the east.

Platforms 1, 2, 4 are northbound platforms, with 1 and 2 on the fast line and 4 on the slow line, while platforms 3, 5, 6 are southbound platforms, with 3 on the fast line and 5 and 6 on the slow line.

;Tramlink platforms

There are 3 Tram platforms. Platform 1 is used for trams towards Elmers End, Beckenham Junction and New Addington. Platform 2 is not routinely used although some trams may stop at this platform, mainly is used for trams which are on diversion and terminate at East Croydon occasionally. Platform 3 is used for trams towards Wimbledon and West Croydon (loop).

===Former services===
Services from London Bridge to [[Tunbridge Wells railway station|Tunbridge Wells]] via [[Redhill railway station|Redhill]] were operated by [[Southeastern (train operating company 2006–2021)|Southeastern]] until December 2008, when they were transferred to [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] and curtailed at [[Tonbridge]].<ref>GB National Railway Timetable May 2007 & 2008 Editions, Table 186</ref> In 2018, Southern withdrew the Victoria to Tonbridge via [[Redhill railway station|Redhill]] service, instead opting to run an hourly shuttle between Redhill and [[Tonbridge]].

[[CrossCountry]] services stopped at East Croydon on the route to Brighton and Newcastle, until they were withdrawn in December 2008 (after the franchise passed from [[Virgin CrossCountry|Virgin]] to [[Arriva CrossCountry|Arriva]])<ref>[https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/3749781.Train_services_from_Brighton_withdrawn/ "Train services from Brighton withdrawn"] Elliot, Emily-Ann; ''The Argus'' news article 12 October 2008; Retrieved 26 May 2016</ref>

Southern services to [[Charing Cross railway station|London Charing Cross]] were withdrawn in December 2009.

===Current services===
====[[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]]====

The typical off-peak service in trains per hour as of December 2022 is:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables|title=May 2022 Timetables|work=[[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]]|access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref>
* 10 tph to {{stn|London Victoria}} (calling at {{stnlnk|Clapham Junction}} only)
* 5 tph to {{stn|London Bridge}} (1 of these runs non-stop, 2 calling only at Norwood Junction and 2 run calling at all stations via Norbury)
* 2 tph to Caterham and {{stnlnk|Tattenham Corner}}, dividing and attaching at [[Purley railway station|Purley]]
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|East Grinstead}} via {{stnlnk|Oxted}}
* 1 tph to {{stnlnk|Uckfield}} (non stop to {{stnlnk|Oxted}})
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|Reigate}} via {{stnlnk|Redhill}} 
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|Portsmouth Harbour}} and {{stnlnk|Bognor Regis}}, dividing and attaching at {{stnlnk|Horsham}}
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|Littlehampton}} via {{stnlnk|Worthing}}
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|Eastbourne}} with one continuing to [[Ore railway station|Ore]] via [[Hastings railway station|Hastings]]
* 1 tph to {{stnlnk|Watford Junction}}

Southern services at East Croydon are operated using {{brc|377}} [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]] and {{brc|171}} [[Diesel multiple unit|DMUs]].

====[[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink]]====
The typical off-peak service in trains per hour as of December 2022 is:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables|title=May 2022 Timetables|work=[[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink]]|access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref>
* 4 tph to {{stnlnk|Bedford}} via {{stn|London Bridge}}
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|Cambridge}}
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|Peterborough}}
* 4 tph to {{stnlnk|Brighton}}
* 2 tph to [[Three Bridges railway station|Three Bridges]] via {{stnlnk|Redhill}}
* 2 tph to {{stnlnk|Horsham}} via Redhill
* 1tph to Gatwick Airport via Redhill

Thameslink services at East Croydon are operated using {{brc|700}} [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]].

====[[Tramlink]]====
The typical off-peak service in trams per hour from East Croydon is:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/tram/timetable/tram/|title=Tram Timetables|work=[[Transport for London]]|access-date=7 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/tram-service-map.pdf|title=London Trams Map|work=[[Transport for London]]|access-date=7 October 2024}}</ref>
* 6 tph in each direction between {{stn|Beckenham Junction}} and {{stn|Wimbledon}}
* 6 tph in each direction between {{stn|Elmers End}} and Wimbledon
* 8 tph in each direction between {{tram|New Addington}} and {{stn|West Croydon}}

Services are operated using [[Bombardier CR4000]] and [[Stadler Variobahn]] [[Low-floor tram|Trams]].

{{adjacent stations
|system1=National Rail
|note-row1=
{{s-rail-national|rows1=2|previous=London Bridge|next=Gatwick Airport|toc=Thameslink|route={{smalldiv|
{{unbulletedlist|list_style=text-align:center|[[Brighton Main Line]]|Fast Services}}}}}}
{{s-rail-national|hide1=yes|previous=London Bridge|next=South Croydon|toc=Thameslink|route={{smalldiv|
{{unbulletedlist|list_style=text-align:center|Bedford to East Grinstead via London Bridge Line|Peak Hours Only}}}}}}
{{rail line|previous={{stnlnk|Norwood Junction}} or {{stn|London Bridge}}|next={{stnlnk|South Croydon}} or {{stnlnk|Coulsdon South}}|route=[[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink]]<br/>{{smalldiv|
{{unbulletedlist|list_style=text-align:center|[[Brighton Main Line]]|Stopping Services}}}}|col={{TL colour}} }}
{{s-rail-national|rows1=2|previous=Clapham Junction|next=Purley|toc=Southern|route={{smalldiv|[[North Downs Line]]}}}}
{{s-rail-national|hide1=yes|previous=Clapham Junction|next=Gatwick Airport|toc=Southern|route={{smalldiv|
{{unbulletedlist|list_style=text-align:center|[[Brighton Main Line]]|Fast Services}}}}}}
{{rail line|previous={{stnlnk|Norwood Junction}} or {{stnlnk|Selhurst}}|next={{stnlnk|South Croydon}} or {{stnlnk|Purley}}|route=[[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]]<br/>{{smalldiv|
{{unbulletedlist|list_style=text-align:center|[[Brighton Main Line]]|Stopping Services}}}}|col={{Southern colour}} }}
{{rail line|previous={{stnlnk|Clapham Junction}} or {{stn|London Bridge}}|next={{stnlnk|South Croydon}} or {{stnlnk|Sanderstead}} or {{stnlnk|Oxted}}|route=[[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]]<br/>{{smalldiv|[[Oxted Line]]}}|col={{Southern colour}} }}
|system10=Tramlink
|line10=Beckenham Junction|left10=Wellesley Road|right10=Lebanon Road|oneway-left10=true
|line11=Beckenham Junction|left11=George Street|right11=Lebanon Road
|line12=Elmers End|left12=Wellesley Road|right12=Lebanon Road|oneway-left12=true
|line13=Elmers End|left13=George Street|right13=Lebanon Road
|line14=New Addington|left14=Wellesley Road|right14=Lebanon Road|oneway-left14=true
|line15=New Addington|left15=George Street|right15=Lebanon Road
}}

==Facilities==
[[File:East Croydon Railway Station - England - Electronic Information Board in the Concourse - 270404.jpg|Electronic information board and shops on the concourse on 27 April 2004|thumb|right]]

The main entrance is from George Street.<ref name="what">[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/eastcroydon-10273.pdf Transport for London map of local bus stops in East Croydon] published by TfL, 2007</ref> Another entrance is next to the taxi rank on Billinton Hill just off [[Cherry Orchard Road]], on the east side. There are several shops within the main building.

After the new bridge was opened in 2013 (see 2010 revamp plans, above) a further entrance became available with a walkway leading to the junction of Lansdowne Road and Dingwall Road.

The ticket office and the ticket machines usually become busy during peak hours. Disabled-accessible slopes to all platforms are provided and there is a footbridge connecting all platforms. There are three waiting rooms on the platforms with standard metal seats. There are refreshment stalls and vending machines in the seating areas on the platforms. Trolleys are available along with step-free access to buffets.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/ECR.html#Station_Facilities|title=National Rail information on the station facilities|access-date=8 December 2007}}</ref>

[[Oyster Pay As You Go on National Rail|Oyster Pay as you go (PAYG)]] and contactless payments are accepted on journeys within London [[Travelcard]] zones.

There are electronic information displays showing departures to 80 stations.

==Future==
===Station expansion===
[[File:Changing Times (2) - geograph.org.uk - 1241376.jpg|thumb|All three tracks of the trams in use at the East Croydon stop]]
[[File:Tram at East Croydon - geograph.org.uk - 1253949.jpg|thumb|A tram having just left East Croydon]]
[[File:East Croydon Tram Stop - geograph.org.uk - 1160437.jpg|thumb|Tramlink service in December 2008]]
Several plans for station expansion have been put forward; none of which were confirmed to be happening by January 2015.

As part of the [[Croydon Vision 2020]] regeneration scheme, East Croydon is expected be expanded to both the west and the east. Work has been planned on the west side for some time to increase station capacity, made more urgent by likely additional traffic from the planned [[Croydon Gateway]] nearby. A proposal by Arrowcroft, which included the 12,500-seat [[Croydon Arena]], was rejected in August 2008.<ref>[http://www.persona.uk.com/croydongateway/index.htm Public inquiry website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723210000/http://www.persona.uk.com/croydongateway/index.htm |date=23 July 2008 }} Persona Associates</ref> Arrowcroft had proposed a £24&nbsp;million expansion of the station with a new 'airport style' concourse above the tracks to the north of the station. Arrowcroft had agreed to contribute £500,000 to the build costs to offset the impact of their proposed Arena. The source of the remaining £23.5&nbsp;million was not identified, and Network Rail had not committed this expenditure in its capital plans.

The alternative scheme called [[Ruskin Square]], by the owners of the site Stanhope Schroders, includes a planned contribution of £1.1&nbsp;million for station capacity improvements that could be quickly implemented and integrated into their planned scheme for a new urban park, a rebuilt [[Warehouse Theatre]], a doctors' surgery, housing (50% "affordable") and modern offices on the Croydon Gateway site.
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[File:Cherryorchard.JPG|thumb|right|Computer Generated image of the Cherry Orchard Road Towers and East Croydon station]] -->

To the east, towards Cherry Orchard Road, the proposed towers result in an extension to the station. The architect is ''Make'' with the client ''Menta'', engineer ''Knight Frank'' and ''GL Hearn''. Originally the project was planned to start in 2009, but this was later put back to 2019. The mixed-use scheme is for approximately 93,000 sq m (1&nbsp;million sq ft) of accommodation in a series of crystalline towers. Some 70% of the area is planned to be residential accommodation, with the remaining 30% mixed commercial use, including offices and retail. Critical to all proposals are improvements to transport interchange. No project has yet delivered the necessary funds for significant enhancements.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In 2020, Network Rail revealed a proposal to move the station 100m north as part of a redevelopment of the nearby Selhurst Triangle junction, with the aim of increasing capacity and improving reliability. The rebuilt station would have two more platforms than today's station. The project is currently unfunded but if it goes ahead it is hoped that the redeveloped station and junction would be complete by 2033.<ref>{{Cite web|title=East Croydon to Selhurst Junction Capacity Enhancement Scheme|url=https://carsconsultation.com/|access-date=2020-06-03|website=Cars Consultation|language=en}}</ref>

===Renaming proposal===
In late 2014 plans were made to rename the station "Croydon Central".<ref>[https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11664420.East_Croydon_station_could_be_renamed_Croydon_Central/?ref=mr Local Guardian Newspaper]</ref>

===Proposed rezoning===
East Croydon station is currently located in [[London fare zone 5]], but there is an ongoing campaign for East Croydon and the smaller [[West Croydon station]] (also located in Zone 5) to be rezoned to [[London fare zone 4]]. It has been argued that the stations should be in Zone 4 because some stations currently in Zone 4 are further away from Central London, and that rezoning the stations will save commuters living in Croydon large amounts of money, attract investment to Croydon, create jobs in the town and make living in the area more attractive. It is expected that those commuting to Croydon would be largely unaffected by such a change.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/zone4/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150704094739/http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/zone4/| archive-date = 2015-07-04| title = Zone 4 Campaign news from the Croydon Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.stevereedmp.co.uk/east-and-west-croydon-must-move-to-zone-4-mp-tells-parliament/| title = East and West Croydon must move to zone 4, MP tells Parliament — Steve Reed MP| date = 27 November 2014}}</ref> The issue has been debated in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], but current train operator [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]] has not formally submitted a proposal for such a change to [[Transport for London]], which is required for a station to be rezoned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/politics/11641892.Zone_4_Croydon__Rezoning_of_West_Croydon_and_East_Croydon_stations_discussed_in_House_of_Commons/|title = Zone 4 Croydon: Rezoning of West Croydon and East Croydon stations discussed in House of Commons}}</ref>

===New entrance on Cherry Orchard Road===
A new entrance to the station was included as part of the Morello Quarter Phase II development being constructed to the east of the station, the plans stating: "New pedestrian entrance into East Croydon Station via a high quality landscaped public space, new stairs and a temporary link structure connecting to the existing station bridge";<ref name="Develop Croydon"/> however, at the East Croydon Community Organisation AGM on 16 July 2024, it was revealed by representatives of Network Rail that no ticket barrier would be installed by Network Rail at the Cherry Orchard Road (eastern) side of the bridge due to the cost of installation and subsequent staffing & maintenance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eastcroydon.org.uk/first-public-meeting/ |title=East Croydon Community Organisation AGM 2024|date=16 July 2024 |work=ECCO }}</ref> At the same AGM, it was also noted that Network Rail may review the provision of ticket barriers at the station in the future.

==Selhurst Depot==
There is a large railway depot for [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] and [[Thameslink and Great Northern|Thameslink]] trains to the north at [[Selhurst railway station#Selhurst Railway Depot|Selhurst]].

==Transport connections==
[[File:Tramlink East Croydon.jpg|The [[Tramlink]] tram interchange outside the station on 27 April 2004|thumb|right]]
East Croydon is well served by both tram and bus, with a tram stop outside and a bus station close by. [[London Bus]] services reach [[Central London]], [[Purley Way]], [[Bromley]], [[Lewisham]] and places to the south. [[London Buses route SL7|Route SL7]], the longest London bus route, runs to [[Heathrow Airport]] via Sutton and Kingston.

Immediately outside the station is the [[Tramlink]] stop, with services to [[Elmers End]], [[Beckenham Junction railway station|Beckenham Junction]], [[New Addington]] and [[Wimbledon railway station|Wimbledon]]. A major interchange, East Croydon has three tram platforms, two on an island, the other backing on to the station entrance. Following problems with the points in this area, in August 2006 they were fixed to route all eastbound trams into Platform 1, the concourse-side platform. The island platform can be used only by westbound trams and by trams terminating from the east.

==Crime==
In January 2006 the [[London Assembly]] issued statistics of crime in main-line railway stations outside Zone 1. East Croydon, Clapham Junction and [[Walthamstow Central]] were the worst affected. Both councils and railway companies were blamed.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4661136.stm Crime statistics East Croydon, Clapham Junction, Walthamstow] BBC News</ref>
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|title=Bridge pushed into place at East Croydon|magazine=RAIL|page=10|issue=710|date=28 November – 11 December 2012|location=Peterborough|publisher=Bauer|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|East Croydon station}}
{{stn art lnk|ECR|CR01LF}}
*[https://tfl.gov.uk/tram/stop/940GZZCRECR/east-croydon-tram-stop East Croydon Tram Stop] – Timetables and live departures at Transport for London
*[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1765604.stm BBC News article on Croydon's trams]
*[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/6927406.stm BBC News article on East Croydon's position in the top 10 stations]

{{Croydon B&S}}
{{Tramlink}}
{{Transport in London}}
{{TSGN and SE Stations|CityFlyer=y|West London=y|Brighton Express=y|Mainline East=y|Mainline West=y|Caterham=y|Oxted=y|Redhill=y|SE None=y}}
{{London bus and coach stations}}

[[Category:Tramlink stops in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Former London, Brighton and South Coast Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1841]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Govia Thameslink Railway]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1992]]
[[Category:Croydon 2020]]
[[Category:David Mocatta railway stations]]